No.117.-- Report of Col. John Coons,
Fourteenth Indiana Infantry.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the action of July 2 and 3:
The regiment was moved forward with our brigade on July 2, to support Woodruff s battery, which was in position near the center of our line of battle. A lively skirmish was kept up all the morning in our front by the skirmishers detailed from the other regiments of our brigade.
At 4.30 p.m. the enemy opened upon our position with artillery; their fire was heavy and continuous.
At 6 o'clock I was ordered to support the Eighth Ohio, which had been detailed as skirmishers. A report then came that General Howard's position, on the right center, was attacked in force by the enemy.
About dark, under orders from Colonel Carroll, I moved to the right with the brigade, to support the batteries on the right of the cemetery. Arrived at Ricketts' battery and the others, we found their support, belonging to the Eleventh Corps, gone, and one of the guns in possession of the enemy, their advance having reached the crest of the hill. I immediately formed my regiment into line, and advanced upon them with fixed bayonets, driving them from the gun they had taken down the hill over a stone fence 100 yards in front of the battery. At this point we gave them two or three volleys, when they fell back. I formed my line along the stone fence, with the Seventh West Virginia on my left and the Fourth Ohio on my right. My regiment captured I stand of colors, 1 lieutenant-colonel, I major, 2 lieutenants, and 14 privates.
On the 3d, my line of skirmishers was engaged all day with those of the enemy, with small loss, and the regiment was under a severe cross-fire of artillery for a long time.
My officers and men behaved with their usual gallantry.
Officers and men. Killed. Wounded. Total
Officers. 3 3
Enlisted men 6 22 28
Total 6 25 31
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN COONS,
Colonel, Commanding.
Lieut. J. G. REID,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
No.118.-- Report of Capt. Nathan Willard,
Fourteenth Indiana Infantry,
commanding Pioneer Corps.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the pioneers under my command in the recent engagements near Gettysburg, Pa.:
On the 2d instant,after leveling the fences and clearing the field of obstructions,in accordance with the order of Colonel Carroll, commanding brigade, I formed my command immediately in the rear of the brigade, and maintained that position during the engagements.
My command buried 4 officers and 38 enlisted men of our brigade; also 37 rebels, including 2 officers. They assisted 113 of the wounded from the field, many of whom were of the rebel army. We also collected 349 stand of arms immediately in front of the brigade, which were captured by it.
My command consisted of 2 lieutenants and 50 enlisted men, all of whom, with an exception or two, behaved with great coolness, and performed their several duties to my entire satisfaction.
My loss consisted of 2 slightly wounded.
All of which is most respectfully submitted.
N. WILLARD,
Capt., and Chief of Pioneers, 1st Brig.,3d Div., 2d A. C.
Lieut. J. G. Reid,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
<tlconner@evansville.net>